Swimming appliance.



W. H. ROBIIFITS.

SWIMMING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED IIIAII.24. I9I6.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

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' SWIMMING APPLIANCE.

Application filed. March 24, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at. Newburyport, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Swimming Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to swimming appliances, and has particular reference to a novel improvement in devices for teaching the art of swimming.

Primarily, the present invention has in view a floatable device that will aid in supporting the novice or amateur while learning to swim, without interfering with the freedom of movement of the arms and legs. That is to say, the present invention contemplates a buoyant device of a character to conform to the posture of the body assumed in swimming, and therefore, providing an effectual support without offering any hindrance to the efforts of the user, either in his body movement or through water resistance. Many swimming appliances now in use are provided with laterally projecting portions, either rigid or flexible, which, al though contributing to the buoyancy of the device, offer much resistance to speed and the arm movements of the user since they are usually located at or about the shoulders.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for supporting the entire body of the user longitudinally instead of laterally, thereby evenly distributing the body weight in proportion to the buoyant effect of the device. Thus, the body is supported throughout its length, and at the same time the body members used in propulsion are accorded unlimited movement. In this connection, it is important to note that the device is capable of supporting the body in such a manner that it aids in developing self-reliance, since the sides of the body are unsupported, and it behooves the novice to use his arms and legs to keep the weight of his body properly balanced on the device, although the relative position of the same to the body is always maintained, since its character is such that the lower limbs of the user are in straddling engagement therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device in the nature of a chair or seat which, in additionbeing a valuable adjunct for teaching Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917. Serial No. 86,467.

swimming, may also be used in surf-riding, thus, materially increasing the practical advantages and uses of the invention.

With the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of he invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a view showing the application of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a. side elevation of a modification.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In carrying out the present invention, it is proposed to employ a suitable light floatable material, preferably wood, which may be constructed to permit the user to readily mount the same and sink to the proper depth for swimming, and at the same time permit him toassume the natural inclined position without in any way hindering the action of the legs and arms. Accordingly, to this end, it is preferred to utilize a floatable body I; which embodies in its organization a breast or body board 1, and a saddle board 2, ar ranged at a suitable angle with respect to each other, so that in side elevation the device appears substantially V-shaped, the angle of the V being preferably between 90 and 180 degrees. Thus, the device essentially comprises an angular fioatable body, including the members referred to, and having in each side edge thereof adjacent the angle, suitable leg clearance notches 3.

As shown in the drawing the breast board 1 is preferably somewhat longer than the saddle board 2, so that when the device is in use the body of the swlmmer will be supported throughout its length, while the saddle board is of such dimensions as will provide a comfortable seat when the user desires to sit upright in the water, as in the case of surf riding, or for resting. The leg clearance notches 3 provide for comfortably receiving the legs so that the entire device may be held to the body without any special or separate attaching appliances, while at the same time, the legs will be afforded the nee ings 4 with the aid of aninterposed filler block 5 for maintaining the proper angle between the two members. That is, at such an'angle as-will permit thebreast board to contact with the body of the user when heis astride the saddle, and in a reclining positlOIl' for swimming.

Fig. 3 shows-a modified form of construc-- tion' whereinthe entire body member B is made in one piece, the angle or bend in the same-being'formed by any well known wood bending process. In this modification, of '20 the: essential characteristics shown III Fig. 2

prevail, namely, the breast or body; board,

saddle board, and leg clearance notches.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the swimmer may mount the'seat 2 o-f thedevice in the same manner as mounting a-horse and ride on the saddle so that his legs may freely move in the leg clearance? notches 3. Then upon plunging in the water, .he may assumethe usual reclining position, so that his body rests upon the breast board 1 as shown in Fig. 2, Since the breastboard is of a width substantially co-- extensive with the body of'the user, it offers no resistance-to his arm movements, and since hlS' legs are'free to move in the clearance notches 3, these members also have the necessary freedom of movement, and practically no resistance isoifered to the speed of the swimmer. as the device closely conforms to the outline and swimming posture of the body. When the swimmer desires to rest, he may assume an upright position and be seated upon the saddleboard 2, and by holdingoir t0 the breast board 1, which will also assume a more or less upright'position, can maintain his body in an upright sitting position in the-water; In this position the device may be readily used for surf riding.

As-shown-"in Fig. 2, the front edge of the breast board 1 of the device may be provided with atow' connection 6, whereby the user may be towed in the wake of a boat without using his arms and legs for propulsion, though still supported. -in .a swimming .position by the buoyant effect-of the device.

Without further description, it is thought that .the. important features and advantages ofthe-invention willbe readily apparent, and. it will, .of course, .beunderstood that variouschanges in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted .to withoutdeparting. from the spirit of the invention or scope 1 off the appended claims. V

I claim: 1. A swimming: appliance comprising. a buoyant member including. angul arly dis osed .bodyi supporting and saddle portions of substantially uniform thickness, the latter of said. portions. being" shorter than the former, and. said imem er having legclearancenotches in each edgethereofbetween said angularly related lportions.

2i 7 A swimmingappliance comprising a buoyant memb'er includingla fl'at body supporting. member. havingione end thereof reducedinwidth, a. fiatsaddlemember also having. one. end thereof reduced in width, and :a triangular block for connecting the reduced zend portions ofL said :body and straddle members atan angle.

In testimony whereof I" hereunto affix-my signature in thepresence .of two witnesses.

Iinrrnnn .RODIGRASS, DAVID B. .Pacm

' Gopies'of'this patent maybe-obtained forfivecents each, byuaddressing the Commissioner ofTatents', 7

Washington, D101 

